BOTANICAL CHECKLISTS

Mediterranean Botany ISSNe 2603-9109

https://doi.org/10.5209/mbot.72120

Orchids of the Occupied (, Palestine) Julius Pahl1,2 & Mazin B. Qumsiyeh2

Received: 16 October 2020 / Accepted: 29 December 2020 / Published online: 8 March 2021

Abstract. Literature data and new records of members of the orchid family () in the Occupied Palestinian Territories were reviewed and updated with field data. Using data from the Palestine Museum of Natural History (PMNH), data from fellow botanists, and the Biodiversity databases (BioGIS and GBIF), the distribution patterns were analyzed with the QGIS package. Twenty-three taxa of eight genera were found in this preliminary study. For two species, no recent data from the last 20 years were available and in some cases likely declined due to human activity. Most species are from the Mediterranean phytogeographical zone, Epipactis veratrifolia Boiss. & Hohen was found in the Sudanian-Ethiopian zone (Dead Sea valley). The majority of the species found prefer semi-open shrublands (garrigue). Nine species had fewer than 20 records overall. Trends observed from the historical data, and current spatial data revealed major threats, including habitat fragmentation, urbanization, intensification of agricultural land use, afforestation and reduced precipitation due to global warming. We noted the proximity to thorny shrubs in many species indicating pressure by grazing animals during field visits. As recent data is scarce, surveys of sites where rare species have been encountered in the past are recommended, and measures to protect vulnerable populations are discussed.

Keywords. Biodiversity; Conservation; Orchidaceae.

How to cite: Pahl, J. & Qumsiyeh, M.B. 2021. Orchids of the Occupied Palestinian Territories (West Bank, Palestine). Mediterr. Bot. 42, e72120. https://doi.org/10.5209/mbot.72120

Introduction (Dafni et al., 1987; Al Sheikh & Mahassneh, 2017), the most comprehensive work on the flora of the region, The Mediterranean region is one of the 25 global the “Distribution Atlas of in the Flora Palaestina biodiversity hotspots with many endemic species Area” by Danin (2004) has not included any updates (Cuttelod et al., 2009). Situated at the nexus of in orchid distribution for the West Bank (Palestinian continents, the small geographic area of Palestine Occupied territories) since the previous edition from includes Mediterranean, Irano-Turanian, Saharo- 1985. Shifman just published a book (translated from Arabian, Coastal, and Ethiopian Sudanese flora and Hebrew to English in 2019) on Orchids of the region fauna (Soto-Berelov et al., 2015). Many aspects of the but was mostly reviewing work within the Palestinian flora remain unstudied, including updating (little on the West Bank). Due to the paucity of recent the status of many families and groups. There are also data, especially from many key areas, rapid changes due many areas rarely visited by botanists such as the to urbanization, and the importance to gather data for northern West Bank (see maps in Levin & Shmida, environmental monitoring, this study aims to provide an 2007). In recent decades, Palestine has been and still overview of the current status of orchids in the areas of is undergoing drastic change due to urbanisation, the West Bank. intensification or abandonment of agriculture, changes in land use (military zones, firing zones), changes in water management, intensified tourism, and climate Methods change (Qumsiyeh et al., 2014; Qumsiyeh & Amr, 2017). Orchidaceae can serve as an environmental The study area is the Palestinian Occupied Territories indicator locally because of: a) the presence of specific of the West Bank specifically focusing on protected and mycorrhiza to germinate; b) need for specialized threatened areas from mostly Mediterranean habitats. pollinators; c) narrow climatic and habitat tolerance; The area is basically the mountainous regions of Historic and d) sensitivity to human-induced activities such as Palestine formed geologically by uplift from the friction tourism, collection, and habitat changes (Vereecken et of the Arabian and African tectonic plates that also al., 2010; Barman & Devadas, 2013; Akhalkatsi et al., formed the Great Rift Valley (lowest point on earth 2014; Newman et al., 2015; Wraith & Pickering, 2017). being the Dead Sea). This resulted in varied topography While some orchids were studied before in Palestine consisting of high mountains that receive more rain on

1 Science Faculty, Zittau Görlitz University of Applied Sciences. Zittau, 2 Palestine Institute of Biodiversity and Sustainability, Bethlehem University. Bethlehem, . Email: [email protected] Mediterranean Botany 42, e72120, 2021 1 2 Pahl, J. & Qumsiyeh, M.B. Mediterranean Botany 42, e72120, 2021 their western side (from the Mediterranean Sea) and local governance platform GeoMolg), phytogeographic more arid regions on their eastern side. Thus, rainfall in zones (from the Applied Research Institute Jerusalem, the West Bank varies by region from 1000 mm to less received May 14th 2020) and elevation data (from the than 50 mm per year and temperatures can dip below NASA Digital Elevation Model), using an open source freezing in the mountains and can reach 40ºC in Jericho. Geographic Information System package (QGIS). Data The distribution of Orchidaceae in these areas was were analyzed in regards to distribution, habitats and studied based on collections from the Palestine Museum conservation needs. To screen for potentially threatened of Natural History (PMNH) from twelve locations species, two criteria have been checked. The risk of (Figure 1, Table 1, localities nº 9, 19, 30, 39, 46, 50, 51, decline for species is discussed for many localities. In 52, 55, 56, 58, 60), the Global Biodiversity Information contrast, a broader, more general risk assessment, such Facility (GBIF) and the records of Banan Alsheikh who as dependency on pollinators and current land use trends, worked as botanist in the area for more than 15 years. is discussed. , especially in the genera Where not otherwise specified, the localities refer to and Ophrys is debated and subject to changes and even the GBIF (downloaded from GBIF.org on May 14th “taxonomic inflation” (Pillon & Chase 2007). To ensure 2020). Where records exist for the same area from short uniformity in this project, the current names from the distances up to 3 km, they are pooled as one locality. To International Names Index were adopted (IPNI analyze the habitats, the 61 localities were matched with 2020). Flora Palaestina by Danin (2004) and Delforge’s geospatial data covering mean annual rainfall, average third edition (2006) were also used for the description temperature, land cover, soil (from the Ministry of of the taxa.

Figure 1. Map of localities in the West Bank. See Table 1. Pahl, J. & Qumsiyeh, M.B. Mediterranean Botany 42, e72120, 2021 3

Table 1. List of localities by ID number also referred to in Figure 1. Datum WGS84. ID Locality Longitude (N) Latitude (E) N. records 1 Abu Soda (Khallet Afana) 31°38’42” 35°7’58.8” 12 2 Ad-Dhahiriya 31°25’12” 34°58’12” 1 3 Al-Mughayer 32°0’57.6” 35°20’42” 2 4 Al-Kanoub 31°32’38.4” 35°13’19.2” 1 5 Al-Qarn 31°37’12” 35°7’37.2” 9 6 Banyas (hill near Nahalin) 31°41’31.2” 35°7’48” 2 7 Beit Hanina 31°49’30” 35°14’52.8” 24 8 Beit Lid 32°15’0” 35°7’4.8” 4 9 Beit Skarya 31°39’54” 35°6’46.8” 9 10 Bethlehem 31°43’26.4” 35°12’0” 2 11 Bidia 32°6’0” 35°3’39.6” 1 12 Bir Yan’bu (Tell) 32°11’16.8” 35°12’28.8” 5 13 Deir Abu Masha Deir Ammar/Zarqa 31°59’16.8” 35°5’27.6” 16 14 East Jerusalem (incl. Abu Dis) 31°47’2.4” 35°14’20.4” 10 15 East of Albireh 31°54’54” 35°13’40.8” 7 16 Ein Gedi - Dead sear area (NR) 31°37’19.2” 35°24’50.4” 8 17 Ein Siniyaa 31°57’43.2” 35°14’56.4” 2 18 El Jabel Elkabeiir (Al-Badhan) 32°15’3.6” 35°19’51.6” 9 19 Ertas 31°41’2.4” 35°10’44.4” 3 20 Falamiyeh 32°14’24” 35°00’00.0” 2 21 Faqqua’ 32°28’44.4” 35°23’49.2” 9 22 Hebron 31°30’54” 35°4’44.4” 2 23 Jabel Abu Ghneim 31°43’51.6” 35°12’36” 12 24 Jalazone RC 31°56’56.4” 35°13’22.8” 5 25 Jayyous 32°11’52.8” 35°2’31.2” 1 26 Jit 32°12’57.6” 35°9’50.4” 6 27 32°13’26.4” 35°3’28.8” 2 28 Khirbet Tana 32°9’10.8” 35°24’25.2” 2 29 Khirbit Ein Nabi (Har Amasa) 31°21’14.4” 35°6’36” 1 30 Kufer Malik 31°56’52.8” 35°21’10.8” 10 31 Mt. Afner (Al Mughayer) 32°26’16.8” 35°25’12” 5 32 Nabi Samuel 31°49’26.4” 35°11’2.4” 15 33 Nablus 32°13’55.2” 35°13’19.2” 5 34 Osarin 32°7’19.2” 35°18’14.4” 10 35 32°11’27.6” 34°58’19.2” 1 36 Biddu (Radar Mt.) 31°49’37.2” 35°8’9.6” 11 37 Ras Tira 32°9’43.2” 35°0’32.4” 13 38 Sahl Arraba 32°26’6” 35°9’25.2” 1 39 Salfit - Harris 32°5’34.8” 35°9’14.4” 15 40 Sartava 32°2’2.4” 35°23’27.6” 3 41 Sebastia 32°13’37.2” 35°11’49.2” 2 42 Tal al Khashabe 32°6’0” 35°20’27.6” 3 43 Tammoun (Jebel) 32°15’57.6” 35°23’42” 1 44 Tarama 31°28’8.4” 35°1’33.6” 1 45 Tayasir 32°17’6” 35°25’12” 7 46 Um Safa 32°0’54” 35°8’9.6” 123 47 Umm ar Rihan 32°28’33.6” 35°8’27.6” 20 48 Wadi al Far’a 32°16’48” 35°17’42” 1 49 Wadi Al-Dileb (Ein Qinia) 31°55’51.6” 35°8’42” 19 50 Wadi Al-Makhrour 32°49’48” 35°9’0” 12 4 Pahl, J. & Qumsiyeh, M.B. Mediterranean Botany 42, e72120, 2021

ID Locality Longitude (N) Latitude (E) N. records 51 Wadi Al-Zarqa 32°2’34.8” 35°4’33.6” 82 52 Wadi Cremisan, Bethlehem 31°43’22.8” 35°10’44.4” 10 53 Wadi Ein-Arik 31°54’28.8” 35°7’12” 12 54 Wadi El-Khafi (between Hizma & Beit Hanina) 31°50’6” 35°14’45.6” 1 55 Wadi Fukeen 31°42’3.6” 35°4’55.2” 4 56 Wadi Haramiya 32°00’0” 35°14’6” 36 57 Wadi Musrara 31°49’58.8” 35°2’2.4” 5 58 Wadi Qana 32°8’38.4” 35°5’27.6” 19 59 Wadi Qelt 31°50’20.4” 35°14’6” 3 60 Wadi Quff 31°34’22.8” 35°2’2.4” 9 61 Western hill of Duma 32°3’18” 35°20’45.6” 5

Results found in 2020 from a new locality in East Jerusalem. Prefers open grassland or batha on terra rossa soil Twenty species and three subspecies belonging to eight (Danin, 2004). On Jebel Tammoun, for example, lives in genera were listed in Flora Palaestinae as occurring south-facing of savannah-like slopes. in historic Palestine (Danin, 2004). The initial search on GBIF yielded 622 entries, of which 16 were not papilionacea subsp. palaestina (B. Baumann identified at the species level and have been discarded. & R.Lorenz) H.Kretzschmar, Eccarius & H.Dietr. Besides historical reports, for example, from the Pink butterfly Orchid American Colony Jerusalem, they include data from Localities: 1, 4, 5, 7–9, 12, 13–15, 17, 18–21, 23, 24, the Israel National Parks Authority, the global citizen 26–28, 30, 31–34, 36–41, 45–47, 49–53, 55, 56, 57. science platform iNaturalist, and the Israel Biodiversity Information System (BioGIS). Additional data stem Most common species in garrigue and maquis habitats. from thirteen field trips of PMNH staff members. Noted in Lebanon to hybridize with A. morio subsp. Furthermore, botanist Banan Al-Shaikh contributed syriaca (E.G.Camus) H.Kretzschmar, Eccarius & to the data. After the exclusion of doubles, the dataset H.Dietr. (Vela & Viglione, 2015). contained 642 records from 61 localities (Table 1). For all species, the geo-data was assigned to 61 locations (L.) Rich. documented (Table 1, Figure 1). Pyramid Orchid The vast majority of records are located in the Localities: 7, 13, 14, 23, 25, 30, 33, 34, 36, 37, 39, 42, Mediterranean phyto-geographical zone; only four 46, 47, 49, 50, 51, 53, 56, 58, 60, 61. species are found in other areas. Epipactis veratrifolia is found at spring sites near the Dead Sea, in the Sudanese- Common in the Mediterranean region preferring more Ethiopian Penetration zone. Anacamptis papilionacea open habitats compared to A. papilionacea subsp. subsp. palaestina has the widest distribution, covering palaestina (Figure 2). the Mediterranean zone and into the Iranio-Turanian. The Mediterranean zone covers the semi-coastal plain Anacamptis sancta (L.) R.M.Bateman, Pridgeon & (50–300 mm annual rainfall) in the North-East, the M.W.Chase Western slopes (300–600 mm), and the mountain plateau Holy Orchid (600–1000 mm). The Mediterranean influence subsides Localities: 42, 46, 56, 58. with the diminishing precipitation on the eastern slopes of the Samaria and Jerusalem and Hebron mountains. Endemic to the Levant region. Reported from four distinct locations only with one more recent record by Species Accounts Banan Al-Shaikh. At least one record is from an extinct population west of Route 505, an area that is now used The numbers listed are localities corresponding to Table 1 as agricultural field. Besides Epipactis veratrifolia and Figure 1. Boiss. & Hohen., this is the only other orchid from the West Bank that offers nectar as a pollination reward. Anacamptis collina (Banks & Sol. ex Russell) R.M. Bateman, However, pollination strategy is not fully understood Pridgeon & M.W.Chase and might explain its rarity (Cozzolino et al., 2001). Fan lipped Orchid The closest genetic proximity is with A. coriophora (L.) Localities: 3, 14, 18, 21, 34, 37, 39, 41, 43, 47, 57, 61. R.M. Bateman, Pridgeon & M.W. Chase, the bug orchid, which is also very rare in its range across Southern Oldest record from 1975 from the settlement of Elon and only reported very few times from the Moreh, East of Nablus and Kida E of Turmus Ayya. Galilee and Lebanon. Both hybridize in Lebanon (Vela Widespread throughout the North, one recent record was & Viglione, 2015). Pahl, J. & Qumsiyeh, M.B. Mediterranean Botany 42, e72120, 2021 5

Figure 2. A, tridentata; B, Field of Anacamptis pyramidalis in Wadi Al-Makhrour (World Heritage Site area); C, Anacamptis papilionacea subsp. palaestina growing in a thorny setting of Sarcopoterium spinosum; D, Ophrys cf. libanotica.

Cephalanthera longifolia (L.) Fritsch Epipactis veratrifolia Boiss. & Hohen. Narrow-leaved Helleborine Eastern Marsh Helleborine Locality: 47. Localities: 16, 51.

Status similar to the Limodorum abortivum (L.) Sw. Nine records from two localities are reported here. Latest data from 1988, all six records are from the One locality from the Sudanese-Ethiopian penetration Umm ar Rihan forest area, part of this forest is a Natural zone with poor soil and very limited rainfall (less Reserve. Located in the very north-west of the Westbank, than 100 mm/year) located near the springs Ein Gedi they mark the south-eastern edge of the species’ range. A and Ain AlFashkha (now renamed Enot Tsukim). C. longifolia plant has been reported near an Israeli colony This is a protected area under Israeli control. The in the hills of Western Jerusalem (GBIF.org, observation second locality was in Wadi Zarqa in typical moist 30037971 on iNaturalist.org). Halictus marginatus is Mediterranean habitats. Such contrast in habitats is the only pollinator reported for this species. This bee a peculiar finding and requires further research. This is deceived through floral mimicry where the common species is endangered due to the small number and Cistus salvifolius is present (Dafni & Ivri, 1981; Burns- vulnerability of potential habitats available. The Balogh et al., 1987). Habitats are maquis and pine forests species has a unique pollination pattern with deception on terra rossa, where a certain amount of moisture is kept of Syrphidae through aphid alarm pheromone in the soil and midshade occurs (Danin, 2004). secretion (Stökl et al., 2011). 6 Pahl, J. & Qumsiyeh, M.B. Mediterranean Botany 42, e72120, 2021

Limodorum abortivum (L.) Sw. Ten records have been found. All of them are in a close Violet Limodore range from each other with an AOO of 32000 km2. Localities: 46, 51. Nine of the records are older than 30 years. It has been recently confirmed only near Salfit. Fourteen records from two localities (Wadi Al-Zarqa Al-Ulwi and Um-Safa) are reported but the latest record Ophrys bornmuelleri subsp. bornmuelleri M.Schulze is from 1988. At least three of the specific localities Bornmueller’s Ophrys are now urbanized or degraded. The population in Localities: 3, 7, 8, 13, 21, 23, 37, 46, 51, 56, 58. Wadi Al-Zarqa most likely became locally extirpated because a recent survey of the area didn’t encounter Fairly common. Sepals can be greenish, pink or this species (PMNH, 2018). Two leading botanists whitish. Slightly bigger than the other subspecies of the region reported to the authors to have never of the O. bornmuelleri-complex, rare in the region: encountered this species in any of their field surveys. O. bornmuelleri subsp. ziyaretiana blooms two weeks There may be a thriving population in the pine forest before O. bornmuelleri subsp. bornmuelleri (Kreutz, near Um-Safa, but it needs verification in the next 2006). Kreutz reported larger populations of the spring season as the flowering period is in April. The mentioned subspecies in Lebanon and Syria. range of potential habitats is quite limited naturally to mid-shady areas in montane pine forest (Delforge, Ophrys iricolor Desf. 2006). Parts of the forest near Um-Safa is protected Iris Coloured Bee Orchid as a Natural Reserve, but possible repopulation of Localities: 39, 50, 52, 56. adjacent areas is restricted to the few densely forested areas. A number of pollinators are associated with L. This species was only recorded four times from abortivum including Anthidium, Bombus, Anthophora fragmented areas. Its limited occurrence might be and Halictus marginatus (Claessens & Kleynen, 2014). attributed to its specific interaction with Andrena morio for pollination (Paulus & Gack, 1990; Stökl et al., 2011). Neotinea maculata (Desf.) Stearn This bee is more common in the Western Mediterranean Dense-Spiked Orchid and data about its Eastern distribution is scarce. Localities: 17, 28, 50, 52, 54. Ophrys israelitica H.Baumann & Künkele Only five localities were confirmed of this light loving Tawny Bee-Orchid species with an area of occupancy (AOO) of 16000 km2. Localities: 6, 11, 14, 26, 27, 33, 36, 46, 50, 51, 55, 56. The most northern record is from the edge of the Irano- Turanian zone with semiarid conditions while others are Part of the closely related O. omegaifera-complex. from the Mediterranean zone and located around areas Pollinated by the relatively common bee Andrena with >700 mm annual rainfall. As it grows in bathas and flavipes(Delforge 2005, p. 430). prefers light rendzina (Danin, 2004) it is endangered due to habitat destruction. One record is from an area in Ophrys cf. libanotica P.Delforge Wadi Al-Khafi that is now built up by the Pisgat Ze’ev Lebanese Orchid colony (31°50’5.117”N, 35°14’43.312”E). Localities: 9, 14, 33, 36, 39, 46, 50, 51, 56.

Neotinea tridentata Scop. Formerly grouped to the O. holoserica/fuciflora- Toothed Orchid (Figure 2) complex, Delforge (2000) classified the Eastern variant Localities: 1, 2, 5, 7–10, 12–14, 24, 30, 32, 34, 36, 37, as a distinct species: Ophrys aramaeorum P.Delforge. 39, 46, 47, 49, 50–53, 56, 58. In his catalogue of European orchids, Kreutz (2004) described it as subspecies of O. holoserica (Burm. Very common in Mediterranean habitats. This was the f.) Greuter while Véla & Viglione (2015) proposed species we found in most localities in our study. O. episcopalis subsp. libanotica (B.Baumann & H.Baumann) Véla & Viglione for this taxon. In the Ophrys adonidis A.Camus & Gomb. same year it was combined with O. libanotica (B. Localities: 13, 21, 23, 33, 34, 36, 37, 39, 46, 49, 51, 56. Baumann & H. Baumann) P. Delforge. More changes to this classification appear likely in the future and Common. Belonging to the large O. mammosa-complex we are told that a new species is being described from and formerly known as O. transhyrcana Czerniak, historic Palestine by CAJ Kreutz (pers. comm, 2020). also described as O. mouterdeana (B. Baumann & H. This species was recorded ten times from the West Bank Baumann) P. Delforge. The status of this taxon has been area with a wider distribution in the wetter parts of the clarified by Paulus & Hirth (2017), who identified the Mediterranean zone (mean annual rainfall >500mm). It bee Andrena fuscosa as major pollinator for this group. prefers open maquis and batha habitats (Danin, 2004). The records between Um-Safa, Wadi Elblat and Salfit Huds. indicate a stable metapopulation with the potential to Bee Orchid repopulate open habitats. However, these habitats are Localities: 39, 46, 49, 51, 58. endangered through expanding urbanisation not only Pahl, J. & Qumsiyeh, M.B. Mediterranean Botany 42, e72120, 2021 7 in these three localities but also near the Gush Etzion Localities: 13, 31, 35, 39, 46, 51, 56, 58. settlement complex in the Bethlehem district (Darr, 2014). Noted with a wide distribution in the Mediterranean region and Western Europe. For nomenclature, see Vela Ophrys lutea var. galilaea (H.Fleischm. & Bornm.) Soó & Viglione (2015). Small Yellow Bee Orchid Localities: 1, 5, 7, 9, 12−15, 18, 21, 23, 24, 26, 31, 32, Due to the lack of recent findings, the status of two 34, 36, 37, 39, 46, 49, 51, 52, 56, 57, 61. species is unclear:

This is a common in Mediterranean garrigue habitats. Orchis italica Poir. Hennecke (2016) classified from old records and descriptions that both very similar species O. lutea On the GBIF database recorded as O. longicruris Link var. galilaea and O. sicula (Tineo) exist in the Eastern sin localidad from 1913 and observed in 1988 in the Mediterranean with a chance of hybridisation. As Irano-Turanian zone, east of Tammoun village. That suggested by Delforge (2006) and later assessed and land has turned into agricultural fields since. The third confirmed by Hennecke (2017), the decisive feature record is from the year 2000 in Jabbel Al-Qarn, a hill that between the two species is the angle between longitudinal has been reforested in the past twenty years. This north- axis and side lobes. In O. lutea, this angle is around 80°, western slope is now densely covered with Palestine while in O. sicula only 48° on average (Hennecke, 2017). Oak (Quercus calliprinos) and Pistacia palaestina. On the south-eastern aspect, the gaps between trees and Ophrys sicula Tineo shrubs are closing at a slower pace. However, the habitat Lesser Yellow Bee Orchid is disturbed by visitors who come to the area to rest and Locality: 9. often barbeque. The population of O. italica has not been re-encountered since then. A planned survey of Al- Hennecke (2016, p. 139) reported numerous populations Qarn will shed some light on the status of the population in forested areas of the southern part of the Westbank there. in 1997. This species was confirmed blooming near the village Beit Skarya by S. Shaheen, a staff member of Orchis israelitica Baumann & Dafni the PMNH, on March 29th, 2020. Hennecke suggested (= Anacamptis israelitica R.M.Bateman, Pridgeon & that some of the many O. lutea var. galilaea (above) M.W.Chase) records were misidentified, then O. sicula is shown underrepresented in the current paper. It is known from the Galilee area only (Bauman & Dafni, 1979; Delforge, 2005). It was reported from one locality Ophrys umbilicata Desf. in the Hebron district by Ighbareyeh et al. (2017); after (= Ophrys carmeli H.Fleischm. & Bornm.) correspondence with the author in May 2020, this record Carmel Bee Orchid was dismissed as unconfirmed or misidentified. Localities: 1, 7, 8, 14, 15, 18, 20, 21, 23, 29−32, 34, 36, 39, 40, 46, 49, 51, 53, 56, 57, 59. Discussion Very common in Mediterranean habitats. Most orchid species are well adapted to habitats in Orchis anatolica Boiss. temperate and tropical regions (rarely in arid regions). Anatolian Orchid In our region, most of their distribution is attributed to Localities: 1, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 13, 14, 15, 19, 22, 26, 32, 36, the three types of natural vegetation cover in the Eastern 37, 39, 44−47, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 55, 56, 58. Mediterranean (maquis, garrigue, and batha). They prefer sunny to mild-shady locations, in open woodlands, forest Common in Mediterranean habitats. edges, garrigues and grasslands. The majority tolerates or even prefers less moist soil, with only two species Orchis galilaea (Bornm. & M.Schulze) Schltr. preferring more moist conditions: Galilee Orchid longifolia and Epipactis veratrifolia. The dominant soils Localities: 9, 13, 21, 23, 24, 36, 42, 45−47, 49, 50, 51, in the Mediterranean zone are directly derived from the 53, 56, 60. bedrock. Terra Rossa is found on hard limestone and dolomite, while pale rendzina can be encountered on Common in Mediterranean batha and garrigue habitats. chalk or marl. Where Nari crust or hard chalk is present, Habitat studies using GIS have successfully been brown (forest) rendzina can be found. These create conducted in Lebanon before to predict the distribution organically rich and somewhat alkaline soils, generally of this species (Machaka-Houri et al., 2018). ideal conditions for orchids. They range throughout these soil areas where precipitation is sufficient (Figure Serapias vomeracea Burm.f. subsp. levantina H.Baumann 1). Only a small percentage of the West bank is forested & Künkele (Ghattas et al., 2002), leaving plenty of open shrubs and Long-lipped Serapias grasslands as (potential) habitats for the Mediterranean 8 Pahl, J. & Qumsiyeh, M.B. Mediterranean Botany 42, e72120, 2021 orchids. However, they suffer from expanding urban survey of orchids in our region. In Lebanon, a recent areas, increasing land use, overgrazing, fires, changing study showed 51 species and subspecies and there is climatic conditions and decrease precipitation (Nofal every reason to expect our list to grow with further & Barakat, 2001; Mizyed, 2009). Intensifying research. Such research is especially needed in the agriculture, climate change and expansion of human most vulnerable areas of human urban encroachment infrastructure are also main contributors to the global (including settlement expansion areas) and at the edges insect decline (Sánchez-Bayo & Wyckhuys, 2019). of the remaining few protected natural habitats. We Reduced availability of pollinators would threaten the also propose the creation of a system to designate and orchid populations in addition to direct habitat loss. protect certain areas (hotspots) for orchid conservation. Declining figures of insect biomass and diversity in the Initial candidate locations are Um-Safa and Wadi Al- area are yet to be confirmed; however, they can be well Makhrour. In particular, the latter is a very interesting anticipated for the area. The Israeli emphasis on filling area designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site with every hill with settlements, especially around Jerusalem many species of orchids, including areas with a good (Chiodelli, 2013) had a particularly negative impact by population of orchids like Anacamptis pyramidalis and destroying many populations and disconnecting other Ophrys cf. libanotica (Figure 2). populations. A number of old records point to formerly natural areas that are now covered with colonies or agricultural land. For example Ophrys lutea was Acknowledgements reported by the Israeli Nature Park Authority (INPA) in 1997 where the settlement Beit Aryeh-Ofarim has now The work on orchids at our institute was partially proliferated. Another example discussed above is the supported by the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund decline of Limodorum abortivum. In the latter case, the (project title “Green Oasis in Bethlehem for Plant decline is due to Palestinian development. There was and Ecosystem Conservation’), Botanic Gardens rapid increase in population in historic Palestine from Conservation International, and by the EU Peace about 1.5 million before 1948 to currently 12.5 million Initiative fund (for project titled “Unity and Diversity (this number also excludes the Palestinian refugees of in Nature and Society” ENI/2019/412-148). Funders are 1948 and their descendants who now live in places like not responsible for the content of this paper. We thank Jordan, Lebanon and Syria). The increase is both due to Mr. Banan Al-Shaikh for sharing his records with us. We large family size and to immigration of many Jews from are grateful to Dr. Karel Kreutz, Dr. Zuzana Ferencova, around the world to this area. This creates stresses on the and an anonymous reviewer for helping with editing. land and the natural areas. The orchids’ relation to grazing mammals needs more work, but some interesting observations were References made. In some garrigue habitats, the orchids were noted growing only in the thorny dwarf shrub Sarcopoterium Akhalkatsi, M., Arabuli, G. & Lorenz, R. 2014. Orchids spinosum Spach’s confines. In early spring, these as indicator species of forest disturbances on shrubs don’t have as many leaves, still letting enough limestone quarry in Georgia (South Caucasus). J. Eur. light come through, but their bristles/thorns protect the Orch. 46(1): 123–160. orchids from being eaten by grazing goats and sheep. Al Sheikh, B. & Mahassneh, M. 2017. Flora of Wadi Al- Goats are more damaging than sheep because they yank Quff Protected Area, Hebron Governorate, Palestine. the orchids while sheep break the leafy parts off, leaving Jordan J. Nat. Hist. 6: 47–57. the roots, which may get a second chance. Goats, sheep Barman, D. & Devadas, R. 2013. Climate change on orchid and gazelles may, on the other hand, have a positive population and conservation strategies: a review. J. effect as they keep the garrigues open by preventing Crop Weed. 9(2): 1–12. the growth of trees and larger bushes (Perevolotzky & Baumann, H. & Dafni, A. 1979. Orchis israelitica Seligman, 1998). In our experience, the damage is far spec. nov.—eine neue endemische Art aus more prevalent. Israel. Mitteilungsbl. Arbeitskr. Heim. Orchid. Baden- Württ 11: 249–282. Burns-Balogh, P., Szlachetko, D.L. & Dafni, A. 1987. Conclusion Evolution, pollination, and systematics of the tribe Neottieae (Orchidaceae). Plant Syst. Evol. 156(1-2): 91–115. 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